Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA
Challenge
Since Miller Park (now American Family Field), home to the Milwaukee Brewers, opened in 2001, its signature has been a movable fan-shaped roof that can open or close in 10 minutes. The space beneath the roof is as large by volume as nine indoor sports arenas. Keeping that space warm and comfortable is essential to a positive fan experience.
A sophisticated HVAC system with nearly 350 pieces of equipment, an extensive lighting system that covers sports lights as well as all public areas and parking lots, and fire alarm and security systems must be reliably maintained and promptly repaired when needed. Work orders, materials inventories and budgets must also be closely managed.
Solutions
Johnson Controls participated in the stadium project from design through construction and commissioning.
Our Metasys building automation system controls HVAC for the stadium and, along with advanced lighting controls, helped reduce first-year utility costs despite a spike in natural gas prices that year.
An extended operations and maintenance contract put Johnson Controls technicians on site from the beginning, with general duties including structural maintenance, management and repair of electrical,
plumbing and other equipment in the stadium and outbuildings. Specially trained technicians maintain the third-party security, fire alarm and suppression systems, and the lighting system. Other responsibilities include management of operations budgets, reporting, and maintaining a computerized maintenance
management system.
Results
The Brewers typically hold the seating bowl temperature at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures remain uniform within about five degrees throughout the park.
The Metasys system continues to be one of the major contributors to both fan comfort and energy savings. Scheduled start-up and shutdown of HVAC equipment ensures equipment is running only when needed to keep guests comfortable and that it is shut down promptly when an event is over.
Johnson Controls technicians employ their long-term knowledge of the stadium’s operating characteristics to continually modify building control strategies, minimizing utility expenditures while maximizing comfort and asset lifecycles.
The result is a better experience for Brewers baseball fans as well as attendees at the park’s many other events, from small company outings to full-scale concerts.
